Defective Vehicle Lawyers
Defective Fuel System
It is incumbent upon the automobile manufacturers to not only make sure that a vehicle is safe to drive, but also that the vehicle provides reasonable protection to its occupants in the event of an accident. At the very least, the design of the vehicle should not cause or create additional injury and damage. Unfortunately, defective fuel systems that cause post collision gas fed fires (PCFFF) can result in agonizing burn injuries, severe disfigurement, unbearable pain, inconceivable suffering, and tragic deaths.
Vehicle accidents are traumatic, dangerous and damaging enough without the added hazard of a fuel fire. Many post collision fire-related injuries or deaths could be prevented if fuel systems were designed to better withstand accidents and maintain their integrity rather than rupturing on impact, but most auto makers have not been inclined to make these improvements.
An Extreme Hazard
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets the standards for fuel system safety; however, defective fuel systems are not uncommon. In addition to the historically dangerous Ford Pinto gas tank location debacle, and the GM "sidesaddle" trucks with gas tanks external to the frame rail, some common makes and models known for post collision fires and fuel system failures include Chevrolet C/K trucks, Chevy Chevettes and El Caminos.
A C/K pick-up truck fuel fed fire was granted a verdict of 105 million dollars in 1992 and there have been numerous successful lawsuits since that time. In a post collision fire lawsuit involving a Chevette, GM was found guilty of fraud and concealing evidence that proved they were aware of the fuel fed fire problem and had done a cost benefit analysis of addressing the problem. When an auto manufacturer chooses profits over the life and safety of the car buying public, something is wrong indeed.
Fuel System Defects
Defective fuel systems that result in collision fires can take different forms. Sometimes the problem has to do with the location of the fuel tank (for example the Ford Pinto and GM "Sidesaddle Trucks"). Sometimes the fuel tank has a design or manufacturing defect that makes it rupture on impact. Sometimes the issue is placement and adjacency whereby adjacent parts puncture the tank. And sometimes the vehicle design provides inadequate protection surrounding the tank to ensure that its integrity is not compromised on impact. Other causes of fuel leaks include a fuel pump that fails to shut off thus providing an ongoing source of available fuel to a post collision fire, weak connections where hoses join each other or attach to the tank that will leak fuel in the event of an accident, leaks in the fuel line, and/or leaks anywhere along the fuel system that allow gasoline to drip or flow outside the system and start or feed a vehicle fire unchecked by anti-siphoning devices.
Although other factors may have caused a vehicle accident, if the accident included a fire or explosion, it may be worth investigating whether a defective fuel system, a defective gas tank, a poorly designed or engineered tank or tank location, or an inadequately protected fuel source may be a contributing factor to the damages and injuries suffered.
If you or someone you know has been in a vehicle fuel system accident fire, please call our defective fuel system lawyers for more information.
The law firm of Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor, P.A. has a long history of jury verdict awards and has been nationally recognized as one of the top firms in jury verdicts and claims. Our attorneys specialize in product liability cases and settlements.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective fuel system, please call or email our experienced defective fuel system lawyers today. We'll evaluate your claim for free and help you get the justice you deserve.
To contact our defective fuel system lawyers please call 888-435-7001 or email us today.
Levin • Papantonio • Thomas • Mitchell • Echsner & Proctor, P.A.
316 South Baylen Street, Suite 600 • Pensacola, FL 32502-5996
